Carl Froch has vowed to make Yusaf Mack pay for labelling the Brit a "fake Joe Calzaghe" when the pair meet in the ring on Saturday.

'The Cobra' makes the first defence of the IBF super-middleweight belt he won from Lucian Bute in May at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham.

While Froch has two career defeats to his name, against Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler, Calzaghe retired from the division with an unbeaten record, prompting Mack to make an unwelcome comparison between the two.

"I said he's a fake Joe Calzaghe and it got under his skin," Mack said. "He's got to prove to his country and fans that he can knock me out."

Mach made the comments on a television show recently, and Froch is angered by what he sees as a lack of respect.

"I'm glad that he and his trainer have had a bit to say and I am glad he's started talking a good game," Froch said. "He had little to say three or four weeks ago and he's had little to say today.

"He said a few things about Calzaghe a few weeks ago, but come Saturday night he's going to be in a whole world of trouble. He's in my territory and he's going to feel some serious wrath.

"Those comments were something I had to listen to. He had an opportunity to say it to my face, not go 200 miles down the road and say it behind my back."